Saturday, January 23, 2010

Paper Roses for Pink Saturday!

Four days before Thanksgiving and one day before my November birthday, Jim and I decided to take a ride to one of our favorite thrift stores! The sun was out, the breeze was mild, and the treasures were calling!

Spotting a very pretty stack of rose-covered vintage dishes across the room, I hurried on over to get a better look. They certainly were pretty—beautiful really! I turned a small dessert plate over to find any marking it might have but there was nothing written on the bottom of the plate. And there was no price marked on the dishes...a sure sign they would be more expensive than I'd want to pay for unmarked dishes. Still, they were VERY pretty. I walked away to think about it and to find someone to ask about the price.

The clerk, without looking at me, hurried over to the stack of dishes and with her sticker "gun" started shooting every piece on the shelf. I was afraid to look. However...the price was (gulp, it couldn't possibly be true) marked at only $29.95! I almost tripped over myself getting back over to the dishes to tell the clerk that indeed I wanted them. (Badly!) What an amazing bargain for such lovely pieces! Who cared if they didn't have any markings. Did it really matter? No, absolutely not!

So, it wasn't until the following day when I began to unpack the dishes from their newspaper wrappings that I turned over the first piece, a vegetable bowl, and discovered the words Blue Ridge! Of course, they were Blue Ridge! I'd been looking at Blue Ridge odds and ends for years in antique malls and thinking it would be such a privilege to own a few pieces. But a whole set! For $29.95! This was unbelievable! What a gift! My heart was absolutely dancing!In 1916 the owners of the Ohio, Clinchfield and North Carolina Railroads, wanting to expand their rail shipping business, started The Clinchfield Pottery in the small town of Erwin, Tennessee where the railroad stopped and which was centrally located close to raw materials and people to work as employees. The name Blue Ridge came about around 1932-33 because Erwin is located in the Blue Ridge mountains. When Clinchfield Pottery incorporated, the name was changed to Southern Potteries, Inc.

All pottery pieces were hand-painted in an assembly line with the more seasoned painters painting the major designs while less experienced painters dotted the blossoms and colored the leaves and stems. All in all, there were over 5,000 different hand-painted Blue Ridge patterns. I was fortunate to find a website for identifying patterns and discovered that the name of my dish set is Paper Roses! (How romantic!)
By 1946, Blue Ridge pottery was so popular that the company had showrooms across the U.S. During World War II the pottery was in its height of popularity, but by 1957 the boom had ended with the entry of plastic dinnerware. It took a few decades for the Blue Ridge pottery pieces to become as collectible as they are today but there are still some beautiful pieces available in antique malls!

And, once in a blue moon, someone might—just might—find a whole unused set in a thrift store! You just never know!


Go to PINK SATURDAY for more Pink treasures!!

54 comments:

  1. Oh, how fortunate for you to have found a whole set ... and at an amazing price - they're beautiful.

    Happy pink saturday to you - have a gorgeous week.

    ciao for now,
    Elena :)

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  2. Love it! And such a steal...Happy Pink Saturday!

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  3. I can imagine how happy you where, with your heart dancing (whwt a sweet expression).
    I love to walk through fleemarkets and an antique-stores too, and it is like christmas, when I find something so special ( seldom enough).
    I once found ros-cooverd coffecups of the english pottery "Royal stefford" wich were very lovely too.
    I guess you would like them.
    Have a nice weekend
    Janine

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  4. Hi Coralie,
    You always have something special to see and the paper roses dishes are surely in that category. They are lovely... a whole set..... Yes what a find... Thanks for sharing... Have a lovely pink Saturday.
    xoxo
    ((((hugs))))
    Maggie

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  5. Your set is so lovely with all those yummy pink roses. What a find!

    Don't you just love it when you snag something so wonderful and it turns our to be vintage!!

    My heart usually skips a beat or two when I find something like that for such a good price. Wonder what it is about us creative, thriftique
    gals??

    Happy Hunting!

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  6. Wow what a great find! I love the story behind it, as I looked at your pics I thought they looked handpainted, really gorgeous! That is why I love thrifting, I always feel like I'm on a treasure hunt! ~ Theresa

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  7. Congratulations! ☺ Your new dishes look very happy in their new and appreciative home! ♥

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  8. Whoo Hoo!! Coralie what a deal!!!!! And PINK ROSES too!!!! They are so lovely! I'm thrilled that it was you who noticed them! Blessngs!Sharon

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  9. Good Morning Coralie,

    What a find...how beautiful. I am envious. When I see hand painted items I always think about the who the nameless artist was as I run my fingers over the painting. I love vintage painted tinware and furniture and just found a wonderful old rocker with hand painted flowers and some stenciling.

    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. WOW...only $29.95? What an amazing deal you got on these dishes...I have a collection of BLUE RIDGE but I didn't score like you did! The pattern you have is soooo PURDY!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  11. I've seen pieces of that and didn't know what it was! It will set a beautiful table!

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  12. I was going to write & tell you BLUE RIDGE & you found a mark ... TO DIE FOR, Coralie. What luck!

    I am telling you it is hard to put down your book, A Tree Grows On Trout Creek!!! You are a character, for sure ... some of your fiestiness, oh, so, reminds me of my days as a spitfire child. Respect, manners, society ... hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! What we thought as rigid as it was hammered in, was, of course, for our benefit ... but what a nuisance learning it as a child.

    GREAT READING MATERIAL, ladies, if you haven't read it ...

    Have a beautiful weekend.
    TTFN ~ Marydon

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  13. How pretty those dishes are, Coralie, and what a great find too! Thanks for sharing your pink treasures and have a wonderful Pink Saturday weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  14. I want to shop with you at that thrift store! I love those dishes! Happy Pink Saturday to You!

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  15. Marydon! I love that you are enjoying my book! It's so much fun to share my stories! Thanks so much for your support and sweet comment!

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  16. Oh so beautiful!!! What Pink Lover wouldn't want them? :-)

    And you have a pretty Valentine Look on your blog now. :-)))

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  17. What a wonderful Pink Saturday post! I just ♥ the fact that each of us shares such a variety of items - that's one reason why this event is never boring. Always something fun, new, lovely or interesting around the corner.

    Thanks for sharing a part of yourself today☺ Cold, gloomy day today but, as always, bright and sunny on the Pink Saturday blogs.

    What a remarkable FIND. I am so jealous. Don't find things like that around here or maybe they are out there but not on a day that I am out and about☺ Kiss the poochies for me!

    ♫Wishing you sunshine and happiness this weekend!♫

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  18. Coralie, that was a spectacular bargain! Blue Ridge for that price - oh, it was meant to be. They are absolutely lovely. Such a beautiful pattern. Congratulations and Happy Pink Saturday!

    xo
    Claudia

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  19. What a great find on the dishes!!
    You have such a beautiful blog, too!!!
    Jenn~

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  20. Coralie, you lucky, thrifty, ThriftShop Shopper! A whole set...how wonderful! I'm so glad you found them and they have a home where they will be soooo loved and appreciated. I once happened upon a Complete Set of 'Blue Carnation' which I had been collecting. Didn't get quite the deal you did, but have enjoyed it for many years. Happy Pink Saturday and come by for some Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake and see who won the Pink Plate!

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  21. Hi Coralie! What a find! I absolutely love your dishes! I need to find some exactly like that. I've always wanted the Desert Rose set from Franciscan Pottery but I think this one would do just fine! I love it!-Jennifer:)

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  22. Oh my Coralie, what a bargain you got - such a beautiful dinner set!!!

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  23. Now that is a very special treat! What a bargain, Coralie. They are lovely dishes, and I'm sure your heart was dancing over them and still is!

    Happy Pink Saturday...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  24. It was your lucky day...they are gorgeous!!!!!

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  25. Oh, Coralie, how very lucky you were to find these treasures! I have found a few pieces of Blue Ridge through the years at sales, but Never have I seen such a pretty pattern! Thank you for the information on this company. I learned something today. Congratulations on your find! Have a blessed Saturday! Twyla

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  26. What a remarkable deal! Those dishes are absolutely gorgeous!!! Congratulations on finding them.

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  27. Coralie,
    You made a wonderful discovery. I have a collection of Blue Ridge displayed in my kitchen. Mostly platters and plates but only once in my thrifting have I seen a complete set and they we way out of my "trifty" price range. They weren't as lovely as yours. Thank you for sharing this lovely Pink find.


    Happy Pink Saturday.
    Happy Pink Saturday.

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  28. Hello Coralie,
    What a wonderful discovery for you and for it to be a whole set that is awesome. They look lovely on your shelf.

    Hugs,
    Penny

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  29. Goodness Coralie,
    That was a remarkable steal, and a very lucky day, for being such a good girl, I'm sure!
    Absolutely beautiful dishes!

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  30. Hi Coralie,
    I knew nothing about Blue Ridge or Paper Roses until I read this post, and I adore these plates and the design of the set.
    See, I learned something here. Love it.

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  31. Happy Pink Saturday Coralie...
    Sweetie I am doing the happy dance for you. Oh my gosh, can you imagine? A complete set and at a steal for sure. I am so thrilled for you. How beautiful they look on your shelves. So very beautiful. Thank you for sharing today. I love it when you do.

    Say hello to my favorite kids, Carrie and Bonnie. Tell them Aunt Sherry sends her love from Country Wings in Phoenix.

    Have a beautiful Saturday sweetie. Country hugs, Love, Sherry

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  32. Oh my Coralie, you take first and grand prize for finding such a treasure, they are so pretty and I am sure you will love them each and every day, Happy Pink Saturday, Char

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  33. Happy Pink Saturday, Coralie! Wow what a fabulous find! An entire set at a smashing price! You lucky ducky!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Cheers!
    Tina

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  34. Oh my gosh, they sure are lovely! What a great find!

    Happy Pink Saturday,
    Jacalyn

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  35. Wow what a find ! I'm jealous.
    I'm a dish freak and this set is right up my alley. Enjoy them.
    Sylvia

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  36. What a steal! Those dishes are gorgeous. Thanks for joining me on my blog. I'm going to tag along on yours too! Happy Pink Saturday! Tammy

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  37. I have to tell you that today, my sis and I were out antiquing and I saw some pink and white dishes. Not as nice as yours, but they made me remember this post and your beautiful set!

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  38. What great treasures! Beautiful dishes...Happy Pink Saturday. Grace xoxox

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  39. Your new dishes are just beautiful. I would have scooped them up also, I bet your heart was beating out of your chest!! Great find, happy PS

    Ginger

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  40. Happy Pink Saturday !!! I have enjoyed visiting your blog and seeing the lovely photos - your dog looks so sweet in the side bar. Please have a wonderful new week.

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  41. Great find at a great price! I am the same way, if something does not have a price I walk away thinking it is too expensive. Josh and Keelie tell me that Bonnie and Carrie might be wanting a new bowl!

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  42. What an incredible find! A whole set for almost nothing! They are so pretty!

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  43. Beautiful find.ENJOYED all the BEAUTIFUL PINK!
    ~ Jany ~
    Don't forget to "Look in the Nook"

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  44. Oh this is so selfish, but I am so jealous of your Blue Ridge. I love Blue Ridge. It used to be so easy to find but it's gotten harder lately.

    Your set (I just can't believe you have a whole set) is just absolutely lovely. You are very lucky and I'm happy for you - really!

    Thanks for sharing these pretties!
    Janelle

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  45. Lovely find Coralie and thanks for the history lesson. Happy Belated Pink Saturday.

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  46. Such pretty dishes!
    Have a lovely day.
    Regards Coralie.

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  47. OMGoodness, what a beautiful set of dinnerware. The perfect set for a Valentine's dinner:-)

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  48. your dishes are just charming...I love the soft pattern! I recently sold my Grandmother's Blue Ridge pottery dish set (Mountain Nosegay pattern) because it sat in my cupboard for 24 years...thought it was best that someone actually enjoyed and used them!

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  49. Fantastic set!!! Happy Pink Saturday!!

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  50. Coralie, your china is just beautiful. I hope you had a wonderful Pink Saturday.

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  51. WOW, I've been away so this is a late #51 post! How awesome Coralie that you found this..I can *hear* in your post how much you love them..that makes them priceless (O:

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  52. Beautiful story and beautiful post for Pink Saturday. I know I'm late, but so happy I saw this one. Wonderful that these dishes found YOU!

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  53. How lucky for you! It's a pretty set. I can well see why you bought it. It actually matches the wallpaper on your blog!

    Enjoy these beautiful dishes.

    - The Tablescaper

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  54. I am green with envy! What an amazing find and for $29.95! They were meant for you! I love Pink and Rose is my birth month flower so these really make me smile! I love Blue Ridge and thank you for sharing!

    Linda @ A La Carte

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